What kind of pumpkin for dogs
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Best Powdered Pumpkin
Canned Pumpkin and Your Dog: Tips & Tricks
Let’s talk canned pumpkin and dogs!
If your dog has tummy troubles, you may have read that pumpkin is a popular natural remedy.
It’s so popular that the American Kennel Club recently covered the trend, explaining why pumpkin can help:
“Pumpkin is a fiber-rich food that also contains important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, E, and C, and potassium and iron. Plain, canned pumpkin is available year-round and can be a great addition to your canine first aid kit.”
So how does pumpkin actually help a dog or cat with tummy trouble?
“Pumpkin can ease digestion in several ways. The soluble fiber content in pumpkin adds bulk to your dog’s stool by absorbing water, and fiber fermentation produces beneficial fatty acids that supply energy to cells, stimulate intestinal sodium and water absorption, and lower the pH level of the large intestines.”
If you want to try pumpkin with your dog, here are some tips and tricks:
• Pumpkin puree either comes in cans (liquid) or in powdered form. There are pros and cons to each, as we’ll discuss below. Powdered pumpkin is easier to travel with . . . plus there is less waste from half-eaten cans.
• Pumpkin puree has different moisture contents. This varies by brands—some are wetter, some dryer. We think the more moist pumpkin puree is best for dogs who typically eat wet dog food . . . it mixes well. By contrast, dogs who eat dry dog food may prefer the firmer/thicker texture of other brands.
• Always talk to your vet first before trying a natural remedy like pumpkin puree. For mild tummy trouble, pumpkin puree may a good solution . . . but always ask first!
How we tested
To test pumpkin for dogs, we turned to our expert canine tester:
Yes, that is our three-year-old cockapoo—or as known by her official title, Vice President of Canine Product Testing.
Of course, we also surveyed our parent readers for their experiences with pumpkin and dogs. We got their insights as to which brands worked well.
After all that research, here are top picks:
Best For Dry Dog Food
Best Powdered Pumpkin: Native Pet Organic Pumpkin for Dogs
Canned pumpkin puree is great for its wide availability and general affordability.
But there are a couple of drawbacks to canned pumpkin: first, it can be wasteful. If you have a small dog, a large can of pumpkin puree might be overkill. Yes, you can refrigerate leftovers, but most folks just throw away the excess.
Powdered pumpkin allows you to prepare just the amount you need–great for smaller dogs.
Another drawback: travel. It is easier to travel with powdered pumpkin (just add water to make puree) than the canned variety.
For the best powdered canned pumpkin, our canine testers liked Native Pet Organic Pumpkin for Dogs.
We liked this pumpkin’s simple three ingredients (pumpkin, pumpkin seeds and apple). Yes, it is more pricey than canned pumpkin, but there is less waste. And the can is shelf-stable for two years . . . so you can keep this in your canine first aid kit without much worry.
What’s not to like? Well, some readers with dogs who are picky eaters didn’t cotton to the taste. And some cats weren’t wild about this either. And some critics would prefer pure pumpkin (that is, without the added ingredients like apples).
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